More than 8.5 million peopleTrusted Source worldwide have Parkinson’s disease — a condition affecting the nervous system that causes movement issues, such as tremors, stiffened limbs, and cognitive problemsTrusted Source.
Doctors still do not understand why Parkinson’s occurs. However, the disease has been linked to low levels of dopamine and norepinephrineTrusted Source in the body. Additionally, people with certain risk factors, such as ageTrusted Source and past traumatic brain injury, are more likely to develop the condition.
Additionally, researchers believe exposure to certain toxins, such as pesticidesTrusted Source and air pollutionTrusted Source.
Now researchers from the University of Rochester are adding additional evidence by finding a link between Parkinson’s disease and a commonly-used chemical called trichloroethylene (TCE).
The study appears in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease.
People can become exposed to TCE by using a product containing TCE or working in a factory where the chemical is present.
Additionally, TCE can leach into the water, air, and soil around where it is used or disposed of, contaminating what we breathe, eat, and drink.
Previous studies link prolonged exposure to TCE to increased risk for kidney cancerTrusted Source, liver cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphomaTrusted Source. Dr. Ray Dorsey, a professor of neurology at the University of Rochester and lead author of this study, said he and his team decided to research a link between TCE and Parkinson’s disease while preparing to write his book, Ending Parkinson’s Disease.
“One of my colleagues and co-authors of this paper, Dr. Caroline Tanner, told me about TCE and Camp LejeuneTrusted Source,” Dr. Dorsey told Medical News Today. “She and her colleague, Dr. Sam Goldman — another (study) co-author — had conducted a twin studyTrusted Source showing that twins with an occupational or hobby exposure to TCE had a 500% increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The more I investigated the prevalence of TCE and its role in Parkinson’s disease, the more I (found) with no end in sight.” “TCE is a known carcinogen — it causes cancer. It is also linked to miscarriagesTrusted Source, neural tube defectsTrusted Source (including babies born without brains), congenital heart diseaseTrusted Source, and multiple other medical disorders.
